Redbird Roundup by Brandon Higginshttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/
en-usCopyright 2015, Daily Dunklin DemocratMizzou Basketballhttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/32439/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/32439/I'm going to stray away from my typical Cardinals blogging to talk a little bit about the Missouri basketball team.
After a season in which the Tigers jumped onto the national scene by winning the Big XII tournament and advancing to the Elite 8 round of the NCAA tournament, this was supposed to be a down year due to the loss of DeMarre Carroll, Leo Lyons and Matt Lawrence.
The Tigers, however, have raced out to a 13-3 record and beat No. 10 Kansas State at Mizzou Arena today. This should...Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:38:28 -0600Holliday Signs With Cardinalshttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/32351/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/32351/It seems as though Matt Holliday has signed a 7-year deal worth $120 million with the Cardinals. Now that the deal is done, what are your thoughts? What should the Cardinals do next? Do they need bullpen help, or should they pursue a third baseman?Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:13:49 -0600Matt Hollidayhttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/32264/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/32264/It's been a while since my last blog. Between work and finishing up another semester of MBA classes, I didn't have much time to get on here.
As a result of the recent Jason Bay signing by the Mets, it seems as though Matt Holliday will remain a Cardinal. Boston has already spent a ton of cash on John Lackey and Mike Cameron, so I don't see where they could be a player for Holliday. The Angels just spent some dough on Hideki Matsui, so they are finished spending. The Yankees ponied up for...Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:11:00 -0600Smoltz now a Cardinalhttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/29431/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/29431/Joe Strauss has just confirmed that the deal for John Smoltz is done, and he'll be wearing the Birds on the Bat. More details will come later.Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:46:59 -0500John Smoltz likely coming inhttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/29416/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/29416/Jayson Stark of ESPN is reporting that Smoltz is "strongly leaning" toward coming to St. Louis, even after the Cards expressed interest in putting him in late-inning bullpen situations. Smoltz started 8 games for the Red Sox, posting an ERA over 8, but in his last 7 outings, his ERA in the first two innings was 0.64. This shows that he could be very effective to come in and face righties out of the bullpen for an inning. If he could consistently get outs in that capacity, it would shore up one...Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:25:36 -0500Smoltz to St. Louis? UPDATEhttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/29406/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/29406/UPDATE: Smoltz is currently on waivers and the Cardinals are extremely big players for him, but nothing will be official until tomorrow. Joe Strauss reports that no teams will likely put in a claim. If he goes unclaimed, I think the Cardinals will likely get him.
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has been reporting since after last night's game that the Cardinals are in VERY serious talks with John Smoltz about coming to the Cardinals, and that Mark DeRosa, Adam Wainwright and Tony...Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:14:33 -0500DeRosa classified as Type-A Free Agenthttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/29003/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/29003/The Elias Sports Bureau's recent FA projections have Mark DeRosa listed as a Type-A free agent at the end of the season if he continues his current pace. What this means is that if the Cardinals offer him arbitration and he declines and is signed by another team, the Cardinals get two first-round picks from that team. Matt Holliday will be a Type-A after the season as well, so the Cardinals could get as many as five first-round draft picks for next year.
The general consensus is that DeRosa...Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:21:29 -0500New Arrivalhttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28893/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28893/I feel as though I've not done my duty as a blogger during the Matt Holliday acquisition, but it couldn't really be helped. I knew on Thursday night there was almost a 100 percent chance we were getting Holliday, but I wasn't able to blog since my internet is on the fritz at my apartment. At any rate, let me get into some discussion.
I'm a fan of the trade to get Holliday for Brett Wallace, Shane Peterson and Clayton Mortenson, and here's why:
* First, Brett Wallace had no spot to play...Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:16:43 -0500First-Half Observationshttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28639/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28639/It's been quite a while since I've written in this blog. Credit that to a combination of moving and finishing up one of my summer graduate school courses. At any rate, here are some observations I've made about the Cardinals and other teams throughout the season.
1. The Cardinals are not pretenders. The last few times the Cards have entered the All-Star break in first, they have held on to make their way into the playoffs. Albert Pujols is having a potential triple-crown season, and our...Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:07:48 -0500The Preachershttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28376/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28376/** The Payoff Pitch
This is a column I wrote this past school year for my school newspaper, where I was the sports editor. The column is written about Harding University, which is a private university associated with the churches of Christ. I thought some of the readers might find it a bit humorous, but keep in mind that this is very facetious writing.
** And now, the starting lineup for your Harding Preachers
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Harding had a different,...Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:29:41 -0500Cardinals obtain DeRosahttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28356/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28356/Just a quick update post here. The Cardinals have traded RHP Chris Perez and a player to be named later to Cleveland for Mark DeRosa. DeRosa is currently hitting .270 with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs. Looks like the Cardinals have obtained their third baseman, and he will also be able to spell left-handed outfielders when a lefty is pitching. I like the trade. We will see if the Cardinals are really ready to make some noise if the talks continue with Matt Holliday. I kind of doubt it, but who...Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:10:24 -0500Cardinals serious contenders for Holliday?http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28274/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28274/Joe Strauss, the Cardinals beat writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, had the following to say about Athletics slugger Matt Holliday:
"My information is that Holliday badly wants to play in St. Louis and would be receptive to a long-term arrangement if the Cardinals acquire him. That said, the A's are asking a ransom for him (Ludwick, Motte/Perez, prospect). That price may drop next month. However, right now it's one the Cardinals aren't prepared to play."
The fact that Holliday is...Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:37:30 -0500Most overrated baseball playershttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28230/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28230/** The Payoff Pitch
Here is this week's installment of The Payoff Pitch, where I'll voice my opinions on non-Cardinals-related issues. This week, I'm going to list my opinion on the most overrated baseball players in the history of the game.
** Phil Rizzuto
Let's be honest; the only reason Rizzuto is in the Hall of Fame is because he was on the Yankees. He's a product of the New York media machine and of east coast bias. Rizzuto was a great defender, but not good enough to justify...Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:58:01 -0500What slump?http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28208/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28208/** Cards sweep the Royals
In a rematch of the 1985 World Series, the Cardinals traveled across I-70 to take on the Royals in what turned out to be a romp in every sense of the word. The Redbirds outscored KC 29-11 in the three-game set, sweeping them in convincing fashion and leaving town with a 1.5 game lead in the NL Central.
But don't get TOO excited about the Cardinals.
We still need to acquire a bat to be able to realistically contend. This offensive surge is just what the doctor...Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:39:45 -0500Is NASCAR a sport?http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28115/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28115/** The Payoff Pitch
Here, I'm going to introduce a new section of this blog where I discuss my opinions on things outside of the Cardinals since not much is going on with the Redbirds right now. These opinions may or may not be sports-related depending on what I'm thinking about that day.
Today, I want to talk a bit about NASCAR. If you know me, you will know that I have written thoughts in other publications regarding my thoughts on this pseudo-sport and I just want to bring these...Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:54:59 -0500Roundup - 6/14/09http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28070/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28070/** Yesterday's game
The Cardinals looked so-so in a win over the Indians yesterday. Again, the offense was stagnant barring Albert Pujols, who went 3-for-4 with two home runs and a double. The only other run the Cards could muster was scored on a wild pitch. The Cards are not going to be able to continue winning games by relying on Pujols to drive everyone in. There has to be a combination of people like Ludwick starting to hit again and a move to bring in a bat, but given Cardinals...Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:42:33 -0500Cardinals vs. Indians - 6-12-09http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28045/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28045/There are a few things to discuss about today's game with the Indians, so let's get going.
** Roster moves
FSN Midwest's website confirmed that Brian Barden has been optioned to AAA Memphis, while pitcher P.J. Walters has been recalled. You may remember Walters being blistered in his first stint earlier this season. In five games with the Cardinals, he posted a 9.58 ERA in 10.1 innings. He struggled with control, walking six, and he was also the victim of three home runs. It's unlikely...Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:08:21 -0500Redbird Roundup is backhttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28025/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/28025/After nearly a year-long hiatus, the Redbird Roundup is back. I hope to blog almost daily with my analysis and viewpoints on the happenings in Cardinal Nation. With that being said, let's get down to business.
** Out of the Slump?
After a grueling stretch where the offense seemingly couldn't hit water in the ocean, the Cardinals have posted 19 runs in the previous two games. The slump has lasted for about a month, even affecting Albert Pujols, who has just two hits combined in the last...Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:01:37 -0500Welcome backhttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/19239/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/19239/'Twas an exciting win for the Cardinals against the Mets.
First of all, welcome back to Mark Mulder. After lots of rehab and frustration following two shoulder surgeries, the lefty came out of the bullpen to toss a scoreless frame in a 7-1 win. His velocity reached 92, which is a vast improvement over the 86-mph ceiling he was hitting before his surgeries. He pounded the bottom of the strike zone with good movement, and he also had the great curveball working that made him an upper-echelon...Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:18:36 -0500Those silly Cardinalshttp://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/19193/
http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1232/entry/19193/Oh, those silly Cardinals. They just love to get beat up by teams with records under the .500 mark, don't they? A day after losing a series to the sub-par Tigers, the Cards dropped their fourth game of the year to the mighty Royals. Some of that is due to an unlucky draw -- the Tigers and Royals have been sizzling lately, especially the Royals, who own the Majors' best interleague record.
I'm just ready for the Cardinals to start driving some guys in. They are among the league leaders in...Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:48:23 -0500